Fatwa of Sheikh Muḥammad Ba Jammāl ḥafidhahullāh.

Question: I read that Abū Dāwūd asked imām Aḥmad about a man who sits with the people of innovation, to which Aḥmad responded: maybe he is not aware of their condition, so inform him (of their condition), but if he persists, count him as one of them. The question is, how do we pass judgement on some of the du'aat who ascribe to Ahlus-Sunnah but they teach and lecture in masjids whose people have no Tamayyuz, despite this he does not teach them (concerning this affair), nor does he command or forbid them while they have loyalty for the figureheads of hizbiyyah. In fact this individual even lectures in conjunction with Hizbi students. He has been advised many times but he still defends them. How do judge such an individual? Answer: This question relates to a particular individual. When the question relates to a particular individual the answer must be specific to this individual; for this we need to know who this person is and I need to be informed of the exact details, and inshaAllah some good will come out of that. As far as giving a general ruling, then the general ruling is that the one who sits with the people of innovation is taught and made aware (of their harms), after that if he knows and persists upon that then we have the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, not just the statement of imām Aḥmad. We have the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: ((الرجل على دين خليله فلينظر أحدكم من يخالل)) “A man is on the same religion as his friend, so look to whom you take as friends.” A man only sits with those who are like him. For example, (the sheikh asks the students) Do you find a pigeon befriending an eagle? This doesn't exit. This shows that everyone befriends those who are similar to them... For this reason, people are judged according to their mates, associates, and those whom they befriend. When Ar-Rabī’ Ibn Ṣubayḥ entered Kūfah, Sufyān Ath-Thawri said check who he settles with and attach him to them; because a Sunni does not settle except with a Sunni, and a good person does not settle except with a good person - unless he is ignorant (of their condition), in which case he is made aware; it's said to him, 'be careful this one is foul (Khabeeth).' If he says, 'I want to be with this Khabeeth,' then a Khabeeth follows only one who is Khabeeth like him. What is the evidence? ((الرجل على دين خليله فلينظر أحدكم من يخالل)) “A man is on the same religion as his friend, so look to whom you take as friends.” This is in terms of the Aṣl (origin). Likewise, the Sunni does not go to the masjids that are known to belong to the people of innovation; the strongholds of Ahlul bid'ah. As for masjids which belong to the common folks who are unable to distinguish (between truth and falsehood), such people we should be gentle with, we should invite them, direct them and advise them. They should not be left without being commanded with good and forbidden from evil. Rather we must extend advice and directions to them, especially for the one who is teaching them; since he is in regular contact with them, so he has to advise them and direct them (towards good). Furthermore, our Sheikh imām Muqbil Al-Wādi’ee raḥimahullāh would frequently repeat and affirm, 'the da'wah of Ahlus-Sunnah did not spread except by means of two matters: (1) Tamyeez (remaining distinct and not mixing with the people of innovation) and (2) Al-Jarḥ wat Ta’diīl; this is what irritates Ahlul-Bid’ah; to (rightly) assert that so-and-so is an innovator, so-and-so is a person of desire, so-and-so is a Hizbi, so-and-so is upon misguidance, so-and-so is a Sufi, Shi'ee, ikhwaani, tableeghi, etc. This irritates them. Why? Because it is clarity, exposition, disclosure of what they are upon of falsehood. So when this (jarh) stems from a scholar from the angle of advice and directing (to good), it is wajib to accept this advice. And Allāh knows best. Source: https://t.me/madrasatuna/2521